Differential Side Retainer Oil Seal: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Subaru Impreza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION:

Immediately after the vehicle has been running or after idling for a long time, the differential gear oil will be hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Be careful not to spill the differential gear oil on exhaust pipe to prevent it from emitting smoke or fire. If differential gear oil is spilled on the exhaust pipe, wipe it off completely.

Loosen the self-locking nut of the strut mount - front by 2 turns.
NOTE: Loosen the self-locking nut only on the removal side if only one side of the differential side retainer oil seal is replaced.

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Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the front tires. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM>TIRE AND WHEEL>REMOVAL .
Remove the crossmember support - rear.
NOTE: Remove the crossmember support - rear only on the removal side if only one side of the differential side retainer oil seal is replaced.

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Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to EXHAUST (H4DO (EXCEPT FOR HEV))>FRONT EXHAUST PIPE>REMOVAL .
Remove the differential gear oil drain plug using TORX® bit T70, and then drain differential gear oil.

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Tighten the differential gear oil drain plug.
NOTE: Use a new gasket.

Tightening torque:

70 N.m (7.1 kgf-m, 51.6 ft-lb)
Remove the brake hose bracket.

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Remove the front ABS wheel speed sensor. Refer to VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL (VDC)>FRONT ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR>REMOVAL .
Remove the stabilizer link.

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Separate the front arm assembly from the ball joint.
NOTE:
- Mark the engaging position of the ball joint and front arm assembly before loosening the flange nuts. Doing so will facilitate aligning the position when assembling and lessen adjusting allowance for wheel alignment.
- To prevent damage of the front arm assembly ball joint boot, place a wooden block, etc. between front arm assembly and ball joint.
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Using a crowbar, etc., pull out until the front drive shaft transmission side joint slides move smoothly.
NOTE: Place cloth between the crowbar and the transmission in order to avoid damaging the transmission side retainer.
Hold the transmission side joint of the front drive shaft by hand and extract the housing from the transmission while pressing the housing outward, so as not to stretch the boot.
NOTE:
- Before pulling the RH front drive shaft from transmission, turn the steering wheel to the right hand at full lock.
- Before pulling the LH front drive shaft from transmission, turn the steering wheel to the left hand at full lock.
Remove the differential side retainer oil seal using a flat tip screwdriver wrapped with protection tape, etc.

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Using the ST, install the differential side retainer oil seal by lightly tapping with a hammer.
NOTE:
- Apply differential gear oil to the differential side retainer oil seal lip.
- Since the differential side retainer oil seal has an identification mark (R or L), be careful not to mix up the RH and LH when installing.
Preparation tool:

ST: DIFFERENTIAL SIDE OIL SEAL INSTALLER (18675AA000)

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Set the ST to the side retainer.
Preparation tool:

ST: OIL SEAL PROTECTOR (28399SA010)

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Replace the circlip of the drive shaft with a new part.
Insert the front drive shaft spline section into transmission and remove the ST (DIFFERENTIAL SIDE OIL SEAL INSTALLER).
NOTE:
- Before inserting the RH front drive shaft into transmission, turn the steering wheel to the right hand at full lock.
- Before inserting the LH front drive shaft into transmission, turn the steering wheel to the left hand at full lock.
Insert the drive shaft into the transmission securely by pressing the front axle housing from outside of the vehicle.
CAUTION:
- To prevent the front lower arm assembly from damaging the ball joint dust cover, place the ball joint on the upper side of the front lower arm assembly before starting the operation.
- Be careful not to damage the front lower arm assembly and ball joint by covering the upper side of the front lower arm assembly with a cloth.
Replace the flange nut with a new part, and install the ball joint to the front arm.
Tightening torque:

100 N.m (10.2 kgf-m, 73.8 ft-lb)

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Replace the flange nut with a new part, and install the stabilizer link.
Tightening torque:

60 N.m (6.1 kgf-m, 44.3 ft-lb)

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Install the front ABS wheel speed sensor. Refer to VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL (VDC)>FRONT ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR>INSTALLATION .
Install the brake hose bracket.
Tightening torque:

33 N.m (3.4 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)

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Install the front exhaust pipe. Refer to EXHAUST (H4DO (EXCEPT FOR HEV))>FRONT EXHAUST PIPE>INSTALLATION .
Install the crossmember support - rear.
Tightening torque:

70 N.m (7.1 kgf-m, 51.6 ft-lb)

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Refill differential gear oil to adjust the differential gear oil amount. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580 IMPREZA)>DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL>ADJUSTMENT .
Install the front tires. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM>TIRE AND WHEEL>INSTALLATION .
Tighten the self-locking nut of the strut mount - front using the ST.
CAUTION:
- Use a new self-lock nut.
- Tighten in the state where the wheels are in full contact with the ground.
Preparation tool:

ST: STRUT MOUNT SOCKET (20399AG000)

Tightening torque:

55 N.m (5.6 kgf-m, 40.6 ft-lb)

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Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary. Refer to FRONT SUSPENSION>WHEEL ALIGNMENT>ADJUSTMENT .